Good morning, Hamilton City Council’s meeting is underway. I am sitting in the public gallery and will bring you live updates.
Today’s agenda includes reprimanding Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch, new hires in IT, Barton/Tiffany shelters controversy, rescinding the Hamilton encampment protocol, and more
Agenda here: https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=d2b21f2e-2f8b-4a6e-b87b-6efdaedab2ef
Livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXixvDyvg_g
Attendance: Three members of Council was late this morning: Ward 8 Clr John-Paul Danko, Ward 14 Clr Mike Spadafora, and Ward 15 Clr Ted McMeekin.
All other members of Council was seated at 9:30 a.m., with Ward 3 Clr Nrinder Nann joining by video.
Updates
Ceremonial Activities
The first thirty minutes of today’s meeting were ceremonial activities.
City Council celebrated the City’s continuing awards, with City Manager Marnie Cluckie saying the number of awards the City of Hamilton receives is unprecedented.
The City of Hamilton enters (and pays the fees) for all awards it becomes aware of.
During the ceremonial activity, Ward 4 Clr Tammy Hwang gave staff a standing ovation with loud cheers and “hoots.” Ward 9 Clr Brad Clark shook his head at the undignified behaviour.
Reprimanding Clr Kroetsch
Nothing is routine at Hamilton City Council.
Ward 6 Clr Tom Jackson expressed discomfort at Council having to fulfil its obligation under the Municipal Act to decide what action to take when in the receipt of an Integrity Commissioner investigation.
The Municipal Act states ICs investigate, make recommendations, and that Council decides.
Integrity Commissioner David Boghosian says he is seeking Council to formally issue the reprimand, saying a Council reprimand ‘carries more weight’ than one issued solely by the Integrity Commissioner.
Councillors expressed concern that following the Municipal Act process (as every other municipality does) could cause ‘animosity’ among councillors and retaliatory voting after a decision.
RESULT: City Clerk Matthew Trennum stated that Council simply receiving the report, under Hamilton’s procedure, implements the reprimand
Feasibility of the Adoption and Enforcement of a By-law to Prohibit Protests at Places of Worship and Their Facilities
Ward 1 Clr Maureen Wilson’s motion for staff “to prepare a report … on the feasibility of the City of Hamilton adopting and enforcing a by-law to prohibit protests at Places of Worship and their facilities” passed with Ward 2 Clr Cameron Kroetsch opposed.
Note: I need to double-check the vote in case there were any other opposed votes.
Housekeeping Amendment to Extend Vacant Unit Tax Declaration Deadline
Council confirmed its decision to extend the Vacant Unit Tax declaration deadline to April 30 and to waive any late declaration fees in 2025.
The extension follows the late Fall 2024 Canada Post strike, which delayed the City’s mailing of notices.
The decision to waive late penalties is with the hope of avoiding issues similar to the City of Toronto which had to waive late penalties following a large number of people missing the first deadline.
Rescinding Encampment Protocol
Council confirmed its 13-2 vote to end the City’s Encampment Protocol following the City’s successful defence of its parks by-law prohibition on camping in City public spaces.
Today’s confirming vote was 14-2, with Ward 3 Clr Nrinder Nann voting in favour of the motion.
I explained (link at the bottom of this section) how the ruling confirms that Ontario municipalities should follow the Charter decision of the British Columbia Court of Appeal on encampments.
In short, when there are inadequate shelter beds, municipalities must allow overnight erecting of shelter to protect against the elements. There is no Charter Right to encamp during the day. Hamilton can remove encampments during daytime hours.
NOTE: due to the pace of the meeting and the importance of the matter, I’ll add quotes in a later update
Hiring new IT Staff and Managers
Council approved expanding the City’s IT budget and staffing. In 2025, the City will add $12.72-million to the annual operating budget, and 20.25 full-time equivalent positions.
The 2025 spending is offset by using reserves and creative accounting.
Ward 9 Clr Brad Clark voted against the increases at last week’s Council committee meeting, expressing concerns about how the City will fund the spending in 2026 and beyond.
Note: I need to return to the replay to get the exact vote today.
Cybersecurity Failure Secrecy
Ward 2 Clr Cameron Kroetsch and Ward 9 Clr Brad Clark are working on a motion to require the City to begin releasing information regarding the City’s February 2024 cybersecurity failure.
Clark stated, to the effect, that the City needs to separate information that must remain in-camera due to ongoing security risks or legal reasons, from information that should be made public.
Public Health Sub-Committee Procedures
When Council approved creating a semi-autonomous Board of Health, they explicitly voted that the Chair of the mixed-Council / citizen Board must be a member of the Council.
The Public Health Sub-Committee (as it is now, the legislation to make it the Board of Health has not yet been passed by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario) decided it would amend the Council approved terms of reference to remove the requirement that the Chair be a member of Council.
City Council did not approve the change. Ward 8 Clr John-Paul Danko (whose spouse Dawn Danko is the education member of the Public Health Sub-Committee) noted that sub-committees cannot override Council decisions.
A motion was passed, sending the matter to the Council’s Governance Committee for review.
More Decorum Issues
As Ward 14 Clr Mike Spadafora read a motion to allocate area-rated funds, a few other councillors acted like children in a classroom with a substitute teacher.
Spadafora looked directly at Ward 5 Clr Matt Francis and remarked on the side conversation. A few moments later, a now-frustrated Spadafora remarked that people always speak when he has the floor.
Do not shed any tears of Spadafora – he is a frequent heckler and face-maker during meetings.
Barton/Tiffany Tiny Shelters Controversy
Last week, Ward 9 Clr Brad Clark was the only member of Council to ask critical questions regarding the procurement controversy surrounding the Barton / Tiffany tiny shelters purchases. Since that time, the issue has drawn a lot more attention on social media platforms and public pressure for transparency has grown.
Enter Ward 8 Clr John-Paul Danko with a motion to have Council’s procurement committee review the $1.4-million purchase of 40 tiny shelter units (plus shipping, duties, and taxes).
Danko says the single-source non-competitive procurement was a Council decision and Council should be the accountable party. Ward 6 Clr Tom Jackson put himself on the speakers list, reminding everyone he opposed the entire project.
Mayor Andrea Horwath says there is mis/dis information in the public [I cannot immediately recollection which term she chose] and untrue speculation regarding the purchase. [I am going to ask her to clarify the comments]
Council voted to have staff produce a report for a future Council committee meeting regarding the controversy.
Closed Session
City Council went into closed session at approximately 12:41 p.m.
They returned to open session at approximately 1:42 p.m.
Adjournment
Council adjourned shortly before 2:00 p.m.
Production Details
Published: January 22, 2025
Last updated: January 22, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Note: Liveblogs are continously updated. Only corrections/clarifications are noted in Production Details
The Mayor used the term “misinformation”. I’m curious what she’s referring to.
As far as I can tell the city has been the main purveyor of misinformation related to this project, while people like Joey have provided the facts to those engaged online with the political process.